Former RCMP Constable Said He Was Unaware Of RCMP Policy Regarding Using Metal Detecting Wands On Prisoners

Testimony has wrapped up in the inquest into the in custody death of 40 year old Jeremy Sabourin.

There were 13 witnesses called in total.

Sabourin committed suicide in the Moose Jaw Police Services (MJPS) holding cells on October 7, 2021 by shooting himself in the head.

With all witnesses called the inquest’s acting coroner will charge the four women and two men jury on Thursday morning before they head out to make their deliberations.

Wednesday’s Testimony

Wednesday testimony included three members of the RCMP - two who were involved in searching Sabourin - testified to their role in Sabourin’s death.

No member of the RCMP was ever reprimanded by the force for their roles in breaching policy leading to Jeremy Sabourin’s death.

Former RCMP Constable Colin Tetrault did the major search of Jeremy Sabourin at the Assiniboia detachment.

Tetrault was new to force achieving his rank as Constable on September 20, 2021.

Tetrault is no longer a member of the RCMP having returned home to Ontario after 11 months of duty. He now serves on his home town police force.

Here is the exchange between Coroner’s Council Robin Ritter and former RCMP Constable Colin Tetrault as more of the facts are revealed.

“So you have just been a member for a month or so,” Robin Ritter Coroner’s Counsellor commented.

“Yes,” Tetrault replied.

Tetrault said he was a sworn member from September 2021 and August 2022 - 11 months.

He said he left the RCMP for personal reasons and wanted to be closer to home.

Tetrault said he did not leave the RCMP because of Sabourin’s death.

“How is it a prisoner could get into cells with a loaded and concealed firearm after he was searched?” Ritter asked.

“That’s a good question,” Tetrault replied.

“So it’s just that this firearm got missed?” Ritter asked.

“There were multiple people who searched him that day and it was obviously concealed in a place where we weren’t able to find it,” Tetrault answered.

He said two other officers searched Sabourin.

Sabourin was searched when arrested and then later at the detachment.

Ritter asked how the search could be done to more readily locate the firearm.

Tetrault said he learnt after the fact a (metal detecting) wand could be used.

“It would help locate the concealed fire arm,” he said.

Ritter asked “why didn’t you use the wand?”

Tetrault replied “I did not know that was something that was available at the time. It was my first week at the posting. It didn’t occur and like I said it is not something you’re trained on.”

“We don’t get trained on…wands.”

Ritter asked if as they trained recruits at depot training with a wand was never taught.

“No the wand was never used there,” Tetrault replied.

Ritter asked if the RCMP trained recruits the policy on the searching of prisoners Tetrault said “no.”

Ritter asked if Tetrault was aware “at the time the wands must be used.”

“I was not aware of that,” Tetrault replied.

“Would you agree with me that that there is a deficiency in the way RCMP officers are trained?” Ritter asked.

“Yeah you could say that. There is a policy on it…the wands are not made available…I feel it is something RCMP depot should be (be training on),” Tetrault replied.

“I’m sure you were a little bit shocked when you saw the impact that we’re dealing a person in custody who had a loaded firearm,” Ritter stated.

Tetrault said he was.

Ritter stated “I’m sure if you were trained better you would have located that firearm.”

“That is correct,” Tetrault replied.

“Maybe the jury can consider some changes to RCMP training?” Ritter asked.

“That would be really helpful I believe,” Tetrault replied.

Tetrault said there were two other members of the RCMP present when he searched Jeremy Sabourin.

Ritter asked “did anyone say anything about the search (while being conducted)?”

“No they didn’t,” Tetrault replied.

Tetrault was asked after the search and replied “I felt comfortable with it.”

“Did Sgt Selkirk say to you RCMP policy requires using the metal detecting wand?” Ritter asked.

He asked if his training officer Cst Armstrong tell him RCMP policy require the use of a metal detecting wand?

Tetrault replied “no she didn’t.”

Ritter moved onto a search of Jeremy Sabourin’s house and asked Tetrault if he was involved in the search for a gun.

Ritter further stated it was known by members Sabourin was known to carry a gun on him.

“Were you aware of that?”Ritter asked.

“I was not aware of that he normally had firearms on him,” Tetrault replied.

Ritter asked if he was made aware of Sabourin’s allegedly having firearms on him before or after the search?

“Nothing…no,” Tetrault replied to the two questions.

A loaded 9 mm firearm was located in Sabourin’s truck along with 22 calibre ammunition.

Asked if he located a 22 calibre pistol in the vehicle search Tetrault said he hadn’t.

“Were you (ever) puzzled why this ammunition for a 22 calibre gun when you didn’t find the 22 calibre gun?” Ritter asked.

Tetrault said no as he had seen ammunition people have when they do not have the gun anymore.

Questions then turned to the search for a derringer which was not located in the search.

“Were you told you were looking for a very small gun?” Ritter asked.

Tetrault said he was told there would be lots of firearms.

“I wasn’t told anything about the derringer,” Tetrault replied.

He went on to state “public safety was the reason we did the search warrants.”

Tetrault said he was aware of the fact Sabourin’s guns except for the derringer had been located because of the search.

“Did you have any concerns Mr Sabourin might have that derringer on him?” Ritter asked.

“No I didn’t,” Tetrault replied.

“So you didn’t connect those dots at the time,” Ritter said.

“No,” Tetrault replied.

Ritter asked Tetrault what the jury could do to prevent this type of tragedy from happening again?

Tetrault said look at the training from RCMP depot.

He said that at Depot a system needs to be established which forces recruits to read policy and procedure.

“This could be prevented in the future.”

The questioning moved onto what the RCMP offered to Tetrault about the incident.

Ritter asked Tetrault “did the RCMP ever counsel you or talk to you about any policy and procedure in respect with Mr Sabourin’s death?”

“No they did not,” Tetrault said.

“So nobody came to you and said hey you made a mistake or you should have done this or done that?” Ritter asked.

“No nobody ever talked to me about the incident,” Tetrault replied.